Improvement in paper-folding machines



NI'IED S ATE PATENT OFFICE.

ALVAH WASHBURN, OF MEDINA, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT N PAPER-FOLDING MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 133,393, dated November 26, 1872.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALVAH WASHBURN, of Medina, in the county of Medina and State of Ohio, have invented a new and Improved Paper-Folding Machine, of which the following is a specification:

My invention consists of a series of light folding-frames hinged on the top of a table, and provided with operating-gear actuated by a cam-shaft, which said frames are arranged in such order and sizes relatively to each other that a printed sheet delivered on the table over all the folding-frames by the depositors of a printing-press will be folded in the order of folding it by hand and thrown off the machine by another frame similar to the folding-frames, the said machine being operated in a peculiar way by the printing-press from which it receives the sheets as they are printed, all as hereinafter described.

Figure 1 is a plan View of my improved fold ing-machine. Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken on the line as a: of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the said machine taken on the line y y of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 isa section on the line 2 z. Fig. 5 is a plan of the bottom of the machine, and Fig. 6 is a modification of some of the driving-gear.

Similar letters of reference indicate correspondin g parts.

A represents the table or frame, which will be as large over the top as the paper sheet to be folded, and suitably arranged relatively to the bed of a printing-press to have the sheets delivered upon it by the depositors of the printing-press as they are discharged from the bed. Said table will preferably stand in such relation to the printing-press that the sheets will be delivered either from the side B or G. This table supports a series of folding-frames, a b c d, and a discharging-frame, d, which cover the whole area of the top, or nearly so. The frame a, which is equal to half the area of all the frames, is hinged to the table at a, and swings over onto all the other frames. The frame I), which is equal to one-fourth of the area, is hinged to the table at b at right angles to the axis of a, and swings over onto the frames 0, d, and (P. The frame a, which is equal to one-eighth of the area of the table, is hinged to said table at 0, also at right angles to frame a, and swings over'onto frames d and d The frame (1, which is equal to one sixteenth of the area of the table, is hinged to said table at d and swings over onto frame d which is of the same size as frame d, and

is pivoted to the table at 11 and swings over.

the edge of the table to the right, throwing the folded paper off upon the floor or into any suitable receptacle. E represents a long narrow strip or rib of metal traversing the table in the axis of the frame a, with a groove in its upper face, in which it is designed that a creasing-rib on the depositor of the printing-press shall come when it lays the sheet on the table and press it into the grooveso as to crease it forthe first fold. F is a similar-grooved rib in the axis of the folding-frame 1), into which a creasing-rib, G, on folding-frame a, is intended to come for creasing the paper for the second fold. H is another grooved rib in the axis of frame (7; and I, a creaser on frame b for creasing the third fold. K is the, grooved rib in the axis of frame 11; and L, a creaser on frame 0 for creasing the paper for the fourth fold. These frames are connected on the under side by a spring, M, and a link, N, with an arm,P, of a rock-shaft, Q, which is worked by a pinion, R, which is turned by a vibrating lever, T, with a toothed segmental end, S, gearing with said pinion, and operated, in the direction for folding the paper, by a cam on the driving-shaft U, andthey are returned by a spring, V, on the rock-shaft. The cams for working the foldingframes are marked W, W W W and W, respectively, and they are so adjusted on the cam-shaft as to work the frames in successive order, beginning with a, as quickly as may be, and so thatthewholeoperationis completed and all the frames are returned ready for receiving another sheet before the completion of a double movement of the table, by which I propose to actuate the said shaft; and for so operating it I have a loose pulley, X, arranged on it with a spring-pawl, Y, to engage the shaft at a notch, Z, when the pulley turns forward, on whlch pulley l have a cord, Z, which is connected to the bed of the printing-press to turn said pulley forward when the bed moves from the folding-machine, at which time it s required that the folding shall be done. This wheel X will be of such size as is necessary to cause the cam-shaft to turn far enough during the forward movement of the bed of the printingpress to actuate all the folders; but it is preferred that the cam-shaft make one complete revolution. A weight, X cord X and pulley X are used, in the manner shown, for returning the wheel and winding up the cord Z as the bed of the printing-press comes forward to deliver the paper on the folding-frames.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent- 1, The arms P of shaft Q and springs M V,

combined with folding-frames, as and for the purpose described. 2. The cam-shaft of loose wheel 0, pawl Y,

catch Z, rope Z, and weighted cord X ,com-

bined with the bed of a printing-press, as and for the purpose described.

4 ALVAH WASHBURN.

Witnesses T. B. Mosnnn, W. A. GRAHAM. 

